In this Discussion

Protect anonymity We strongly suggest that members do not include their email addresses. Once that is published , your email address is available to anyone on the internet , including hackers.

Notice All discussions and comments that contain an external URL will be automatically moved to the spam queue. No external URL pointing to a medical web site is permitted. Forum rules also indicate that you need prior moderator approval. If you are going to post an external URL, contact one of the moderators to get their approval.

There are no medical professionals on this forum side of the site. Therefore, no one is capable or permitted to provide any type of medical advice.This includes any analysis, interpretation, or advice based on any diagnostic test

The main site has all the formal medical articles and videos for you to research on.

pain management

A CT revealing herniated disc, spinal stenosis, arthritis and scoliosis of the lower back has me wondering at my age do I have surgery as recommended or do I continue on pain management? The problem started in 2007 and now I am unable to stand or walk for more than a few minuets before experiencing severe pain relieved only by sitting or laying. I've also noticed that I have very little bladder control which is a marked difference from what I had been experiencing. Living like this is taking a toll on my quality of life and I find myself becoming depressed. I had to go on disability when I could no longer perform the responsibilities of my job as a RN. I miss doing what I loved doing so much but at age 63 I've seen my population return from receiving anesthesia and some are never the same. Memory and cognitive abilities decline and some never improve. So my question is what quality of life is more important.

Is there anyone out there who is my age and tried other treatments with a measurable amount of success in being able to walk without pain?

advertisement

Comments

Please take the time to read this post and refer to it when you have questions

I am sure that you will find your time on Spine-Health very rewarding. This site is a powerful and integrated system that is dynamic and growing.Here are just some of the highlights that are available as tabs on the main Spine-Health menu bar

Spine-Health Main Menu Tabs

Conditions Detailed medical libraries of articles and videos that address almost every spinal condition. Treatment List of treatments to the conditions identified by Spine-Health. Wellness Section contains articles, tips and videos to help patients after surgery and also to help people avoid surgery.Medical ArticlesPain Forums These are the forums you will be usingFind A Doctor This provides with a method to search for doctors in various locations.Videos Index to all Spine-Health Videos

As a bonus, Spine-Health provides these patient forums. Here you can meet thousands of people who understand and can relate to your situation. You will soon become part of the Spiney family[/u] who provide comfort and the advantages of a support system. You are now part of this family that is approximately 27,00 international members and growing daily.

IMPORTANT

- It is very important to understand the Forum Rules to make sure all of your posts[u] do not violate any of the rules.[/u]

- All new members must read our FAQ in order to understand the layout of the forums, how to navigate through the forums, helpful terms, how to make effective threads and posts, plus a link index to many of the important medical forums and key medical articles on Spine-Health Forum FAQ

Liz, Spine-health Moderator

Problems with your bladder and the pain is so debilitating, all caused by the stenosis, injections, meds aren't going to relieve it or improve it. Surgery is the only thing that will correct stenosis that is severe, and the longer you wait, the more chance you take with having permanent damage.

You said surgery was recommended.Have you discussed with doctor your fears and reluctance?

The impaired cognitive abilities that you fear post op can happen even without surgery.I am not a candidate for surgery.....and I have problems concentrating, memory...even with what someone said minutes before in a conversation.I started experiencing that with the chronic pain alone...even before I started medications with pain management.

Everyone is so individual . Surgeries, treatments, and medications may be effective for one and may be harmful or ineffective for another.

Your symptoms sound severe.....not walking, and new symptom with bladder issues.I would talk with doctor and ask questions to alleviate fears. Let him explain why his best decision for you is surgery.

Good communication with doc so important and having understanding and confidence in doctor will make going into surgery easier and your energy can be used on healing properly for your spine....and improved quality of your life.